Award-winning character actor and war hero Charles Durning passed away yesterday. He was 89. He was a Hollywood legend and a great American. This Christmas morning, Twitter users shared their memories and condolences.

On June 6, 1944, Charles Durning went into action with the 1st Infantry Division at Omaha Beach. Severely wounded nine days later, he underwent a long recovery and returned to his unit on Dec. 6, 1944, just in time to be captured during the Battle of the Bulge. Private Durning was one of the few survivors of the infamous Malmedy Massacre. During his service he was awarded three Purple Hearts and the Silver Star.